The Meaning Of A War

India and Pakistan are currently in turmoil. Apart from the gunfire along the Line of Control (LoC), the two neighbouring countries are issuing statements and counter-statements on various issues, including Kulbhushan Yadav and Kashmir. Warmongers in these two countries are looking for an opportunity to trigger war. Today’s generation, who are watching brutal scenes in audio-visual and social media, lack proper knowledge of the war. We have a duty to make them aware of the horrific consequences of war between the two powerful nations.

The constant conflict between India and Pakistan along the LoC is a common (minor!) issue. Since the partition of India in 1947, the two countries have fought four wars. As per statistics, around 22,600 soldiers were killed and 50,000 were seriously injured in Indo-Pak wars of 1947, 1965, 1971 and 1999. According to information from various sources, about 100,000 families have been directly affected by the wars. Moreover, both countries had to spend a huge amount of money.

At present, India and Pakistan have better nuclear capabilities. International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War and Physicians for Social Responsibility jointly published a report in December 2013 according to which an Indo-Pak nuclear war would have a global impact. It will certainly disturb the balance of environment. Experts opine that half of ozone layer will be destroyed and the direction of monsoon wind will be changed. In case of a nuclear war between the two South Asian neighbours, carbon aerosol particles will be spread in the atmosphere due to atomic explosion. As a result, the production of rice, wheat and cereal crops will be severely affected for a decade. Also, about 200 million people will suffer from famine.

About 140,000 people were killed in Hiroshima when America dropped a nuclear bomb on the Japanese city on August 6, 1945. Approximately 237,000 people died due to various diseases caused by side effects of the bomb. In case of a Hiroshima-like bombing on any Indian or Pakistani city, the third level of human skin will be burnt. According to experts, 20 million people may die in the first week of war and the number of deaths will increase gradually from the second week.

However, some leaders of these two countries, who are unable to see the overall impact of the conflict between the two nations, and their supporters believe that the only solution of the Indo-Pak problems is war. What is the most horrific is that some of them have started considering whether nuclear weapons can be used in the war. Former President of Pakistan General (Retired) Pervez Musharraf had said that nuclear weapons should not be saved to be used on Shab-e-Baraat and other “celebratory” occasions. Pakistan has the fastest growing nuclear weapons programme in the world. By 2022, the country will have enough fissile material to produce 250 nuclear devices. Some leaders from India have also supported the option of using nuclear weapons if there is a war with Pakistan.

We can easily learn lessons from the experience of four large scale wars. But for some Indian and Pakistani leaders, rhetoric and warmongering are important tools to mobilise their limited support base and they hardly give a thought on the consequences of a war. It is important for democracy-loving people to remind them of consequences of war. History says that a bloody war triggers another war. We should remember that the atrocity gives birth to more horrific atrocities.

Out of the fear that Hitler may use nuclear bombs, scientists advised the American government to initiate the nuclear bomb-making programme or the famous ‘Manhattan Project’. The bomb was discovered after four years of relentless efforts. By that time, Germany surrendered. Japan’s defeat was also expected. But, America was determined to take revenge of the ‘Pearl Harbour’ attack. Albert Einstein urged the US not to attack Japan. However, Washington rejected his request and Einstein said after the war that the war was conquered, not the peace.

It is not always possible to calculate the damage beforehand. So, some people want to fight war against their enemies without considering its consequences. The bloody consequences of the past Indo-Pak wars should be the main tropic of discussions in media. Sometimes, history checks our patience. Now, peoples of India and Pakistan will have to show their patience and protect the humanity. They have to make a crucial decision – whether to resolve the problem through peaceful negotiation or to allow the warmongers from both the countries to sway to the perception of general public about the necessity of a war.